Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story using information provided by Jeffco Public Schools incorrectly said Anderson resigned Wednesday.
Golden High School boys basketball coach John Anderson officially resigned from his position on Friday amid accusations of verbal abuse, according to Jeffco Public Schools district athletic director Jim Thyfault.
Jeffco’s Chief Communications Officer Diana Wilson told the Denver Post on Thursday that the coach resigned Wednesday, but retracted that statement Friday morning and said a resignation was expected but not finalized. Anderson met with Jeffco officials Friday and officially resigned, Thyfault said.
Anderson confirmed his decision to the Post via text message Friday afternoon.
The resignation of Anderson, who was in his 20th season coaching the Demons, occurred after he was put on administrative leave Dec. 6.
“It’s pretty divisive — we’ve got a bunch of people in support of him, and a bunch of people who are making accusations,” said Wilson. “In light of all of that, (Anderson) decided to step down, and he won’t be coaching for the remainder of the school year.”
Wilson said the district received three official complaints about Anderson’s behavior shortly before Thanksgiving break. That led to an internal investigation which culminated in Anderson’s resignation, although Wilson noted the district also received 15 letters of support for him.
“The accusations regarded inappropriate treatment of players, and saying inappropriate things,” Wilson said. “Then we have another half of the team that wrote letters of support. It’s tough, because it turns into a he-said, she-said.
“But we’re in a different coaching environment now. There’s a lot more scrutiny now than there was when he began coaching 20 years ago.”
Anderson, who is also an assistant for the school’s football and baseball teams, is still employed as a physical education teacher at Golden.
In regard to allegations of physical abuse being made on social media in response to Thursday’s original story, Wilson said Anderson has been cleared of wrongdoing.
“We did call in local law enforcement to be a part of this investigation,” Wilson said. “And they didn’t see any criminal issues.”
Tim Blodgett has been named the interim head coach for the No. 2 Demons (7-2), who are a Class 4A state championship favorite this season after making a semifinal appearance last year. The team begins conference play at D’Evelyn on Jan. 4.
